1 February 2012
Greetings from Luanshya!
It hardly seems possible that we are already in the second month of the year! January has flown past!
They say "When it rains, it pours." It is certainly "pouring" here right now! Roads are covered in water, bridges are being damaged and we just heard that about a 1,000 families in Kabwe (a city about 125 miles south of us) have had their homes washed away by floods. (By the way, the electricity in my office just went out so this is being typed on battery power!) I had to travel to Lusaka on Sunday after church (200 miles south) to have some repairs done on my vehicle (something I am doing more and more these days). The repairs took a day and a half and were not quite finished, but I needed to be home Tuesday evening so I will have them finish in a few weeks. The mechanic was surprised, then impressed, that I was still driving the same Kia Sportage that I bought from them 13 years ago. On the way home I discovered that the last 30 miles of road into Luanshya has become like a slalom course dodging potholes that in some cases encompass the entire road. It won't be long before we are forced to take the long route and add 40 miles (and one hour) to that trip. I made it home before dark yesterday so Sherry was relieved. Driving at night in the rain on these roads is never advisable. We appreciate your prayers for us as we travel across Zambia.
We are proud to announce that Nancy Chanda, our last remaining girl in the Lighthouse Home, has been named as a prefect (teachers' aid) in her school. This is an honour for any student and we are especially proud of our Nancy. She has grown into a fine young lady and is being recognised by her teachers as such. She is still teaching Sunday School at Fellowship Chapel, though the rains often keep children home because they all walk on Sunday morning. Still, rain or shine, Nancy is there every Sunday waiting for them! She is also busy preparing for her Grade 12 exams which will take place in November/December of this year. This is a very stressful time for all grade 12 students and we have THREE students in grade 12. All three of them are taking extra "prep classes" after school to bolster their knowledge. Please remember to pray for Nancy, Dickson and Shadreck daily as they prepare all through this year.
The new assembly of believers in Mukolwe is eagerly planning their visit to the chief later this week. As I mentioned, the chief gave us a large plot of land just off the main road for a building. The next step is preparing to meet the chief to thank him for his generosity and officially accept the gift. The small assembly is preparing the chicken, sugar, tea and other gifts to take to the "palace" for the chief. (One cannot go empty handed to see the chief.) He is a believer so we will prepare a bundle of Christian books for his library. He already has a Bible in several languages. As soon as they have made this presentation the men want to clear the land and begin planning their new chapel. They are excited about seeing it all take place. Frankly, so are we. Their enthusiasm for the lessons I teach every Thursday is very encouraging! Please pray for this young congregation as they grow "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!"
This afternoon Sherry had two of her young people come rushing into her office. They said, "Auntie (this is a sign of respect for a woman), We wanted you to be the first to know that we have passed our grade nine exams and have been accepted into Luanshya Boys High School!" Both Obed and Nathaniel are regular attenders of the Friday afternoon youth meeting. Nathaniel's father passed away just before the exams began so he was under more stress than usual, but he did very well to be accepted into the best government high school in Luanshya District. Sherry told both of the boys that she was proud of them and to be sure and look up our Andrew if they needed anything. (Andrew is on the student council at LBHS.) It is always great to know that we are having an impact on the youth of our community! Please keep Sherry in your prayers as she continues to train the young people in her class!
Finally, many people ask us about Colin, his travels and his life in the USAF. We don't really hear much from him. Since becoming a Staff Sergeant last year he has been involved in more training and more flying all over the world. In a few months he will be deployed, again, to a warm, desert area of the world where things are sometimes hotter than the weather. Please remember to keep him and all of children in your prayers. Being 12,000 miles from our grandsons and missing the special events in their lives is not easy for us. It is a choice we made when we became missionaries, but as the children grow up, move away and begin lives of their own, it is hard not to be able to share in their lives.
Your faithfulness in prayers and support is deeply appreciated! We cannot do this without you!
Sincerely in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry
Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya,
Zambia
Off: 260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112
